Director of Advancement

WHY WORK AT KidFuture CPS? KidFuture is a nonprofit organization that helps create a pathway for equity and excellence in district-wide public schools. By joining KidFuture, you become part of a mission-driven team that values meaningful work, an inclusive culture, and the professional and personal growth of every employee. We foster a collaborative environment that respects every voice and recognizes the importance of work-life balance.

WHY IS THIS ROLE SO IMPORTANT?

The Director of Advancement is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and executing KidFuture’s comprehensive fundraising and advancement strategy. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position oversees individual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, donor engagement events, and donor stewardship. The Director of Advancement will play a key role in strengthening KidFuture’s donor base, increasing philanthropic revenue, and advancing the organization’s mission through strategic relationship-building and compelling storytelling.

POSITION SUMMARY

KidFuture CPS is at a defining moment in its history—and in the future of public education in Cincinnati. Building on the strong foundation and legacy of Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC), the organization has embarked on an ambitious transformation, evolving from a trusted provider of extracurricular and enrichment opportunities into the educational foundation and philanthropic fundraising arm of Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS). This evolution represents far more than a change in name or scope. It is a bold reimagining of what is possible when an entire community rallies around the success of its public schools and the students they serve. With early fundraising successes demonstrating both the strength of this vision and the community’s appetite to invest in the future of Cincinnati’s children, KidFuture CPS is poised for extraordinary growth and impact. The organization is building the philanthropic infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and community-wide investment necessary to unlock transformational opportunities for CPS students, educators, and schools. The ambition is significant: to establish KidFuture CPS as a powerful, enduring force for educational excellence, equity, and opportunity across the district—and to make investment in Cincinnati Public Schools a defining civic priority. The Director of Advancement will be a pivotal leader in bringing this vision to life. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, this individual will help shape and execute a bold, comprehensive advancement strategy that elevates KidFuture CPS’s visibility, deepens philanthropic engagement, and generates the significant resources necessary to realize the organization’s ambitious goals. This is not simply a traditional fundraising role; it is an opportunity to build and lead a transformative advancement effort at a critical inflection point in the organization’s history. The Director of Advancement will play a central role in cultivating relationships with Cincinnati’s philanthropic leaders, corporate partners, foundations, alumni, and individual donors, inspiring them to see the success of Cincinnati Public Schools as essential to the future of the entire region. The successful candidate will bring both strategic vision and exceptional execution, translating ambitious fundraising goals into sustainable philanthropic support while helping establish a culture of generosity, partnership, and shared responsibility for public education. The Director of Advancement will be instrumental in defining the organization’s next chapter, strengthening its fundraising capacity, and positioning KidFuture CPS as the premier vehicle for philanthropic investment in Cincinnati’s public schools. For an accomplished advancement professional motivated by mission, energized by building something extraordinary, and inspired by the opportunity to create lasting community impact, this role offers a rare chance to help shape not just the future of an organization, but the future of Cincinnati Public Schools and the generations of students who will follow.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with KidFuture’s mission and strategic plan. Serve as a key member of the leadership team, collaborating closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Establish annual fundraising goals and track progress using data-driven metrics. Supervise and support advancement staff and consultants as applicable. Create and track budgets and prepare reports related to fundraising activities for the Executive Director and Board of Directors as needed. Donor Engagement Build, cultivate, oversee, and steward relationships of roughly 300 major donors, individual supporters, and prospective funders. Lead solicitation efforts for major gifts of $50,000 or more, in partnership with the Executive Director and Board members. Oversee donor communications, recognition and stewardship programs. Create and execute annual giving campaigns and special fundraising initiatives. Provide guidance and support to the fundraising team, helping them to meet their fundraising goals; supervise 1-3 advancement team members. Sets and communicates prioritization for grant strategy and corporate relationship building. Work with the Programs team to strengthen partnerships aligned with KidFuture’s initiatives to secure funding. Donor Engagement Events Plan and oversee fundraising and cultivation events that support revenue and engagement goals. Collaborate with program and communications staff to ensure events reflect KidFuture’s mission and impact. Data Analysis Utilize data and analytics to track and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising strategies and make data-driven decisions to optimize fundraising efforts. Board Engagement Partner with the Board of Directors and other volunteer committee members to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors and key relationships within their network. The Director of Advancement serves as the staff liaison to the Advancement Committee. Provide training and tools to help board members and volunteer leadership serve as ambassadors and fundraisers for KidFuture. Communications & Storytelling Work with staff to develop compelling donor materials, impact reports, and case statements. Ensure consistent messaging across donor communications and campaigns. Compliance Maintain accurate donor records and reporting through CRM management systems, with preference for experience in NEON One, iWave, and QuickBooks Online. Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards and applicable regulations. Annually assist the finance team with tax reports. Prepare advancement reports for the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience in nonprofit management or a related field. Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, advancement, major gifts or corporate development. Proven success in managing major fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, and revenue growth ($100k level and above). Demonstrated leadership and experience in managing a team of fundraisers. Strong relationship-building, communication and cross-sector collaboration skills. Excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills are essential. Strong technical skills with MS Products, Google Suite, MailChimp and Canva. Experience working with boards and senior leadership. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Grant writing experience. Proficiency in donor management systems (CRM) and data analysis tools. Willingness to travel and attend evening and weekend activities as needed. Must have reliable transportation.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Hours of Work: 40 hours/week. Ability to work flexible and non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends. Location: The position is based in the KidFuture offices located in Cincinnati, Ohio, but there is an opportunity for hybrid work. Reports to: Executive Director Benefits: Health, vision and dental benefits, matching retirement, generous PTO and more Salary range: $80,000 – $90,000, salary commensurate with experience #J-18808-Ljbffr Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council